Not in race for Bihar CM's post, says Ram Vilas Paswan

Mumbai: Stating that he prefers to remain in national politics, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday said he was not in the race for the post of Chief Minister in Bihar, where the assembly polls are due later this year.

"I am not a CM candidate. In the past I have been offered the CM's post twice, but had refused as I am happy in the national politics," Paswan, a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader told reporters here on being asked whether he was in the race for the top slot in his home state.

On chances of supporting former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, he said, "I am part of the NDA and we will support one candidate together".

Manjhi has formed his own party and let us see what course he takes before we take a call on it, he said.

Taking a jibe on critics of Narendra Modi over his sartorial preferences, Paswan said the Prime Minister should be judged on the basis of his performance and not what he is wearing.

"Why are people questioning what the Prime Minister is wearing. Had he (Prime Minister) been in a royal family then nobody would have asked him this question. People should see what he is doing for the country," he said.